We are pleased to offer in-depth coverage of the nursing programs available at the top online nursing schools. The top places to get nursing training online include:
1. The College Network
2. Kaplan University
3. University of Phoenix
4. Indiana State University
We will go through each of the colleges providing a brief summary of each and then going into the details around the programs that they offer.
Indiana State University has an industry leading program and is our most popular nusring college choice. It’s very easy to see why the program is so popular. The average passage rate in 2008 was 85.62 percent. Since 1998, ISU’s passing rate has ranged from 85 to 90%.
The nursing degree programs offered at Indiana State University include:
LPN to BSN
RN to BSN
Master’s in Nursing
Money Matters
Tuition costs and fees for the distance education nursing program are determined by in-state and out-of-state residency. Indiana residents pay in-state fees and out-of-state residents are eligible for in-state fee rates if certain conditions apply. Undergraduate in-state costs for fall 2009 to the second summer session 2010 are $262.00 per credit hour for 0.5 to 11.5 hours. For 12 to 18 hours it is $3,613.00 per hour and more than 18 hours costs $4,198.00 per semester. Graduate in-state fees for fall 2009 to the second summer session 2010 are $328.00 per credit hour with a $50 distance learning fee per course.
The College Network has been providing busy adults with self-paced, convenient, and inexpensive options for earning college credit since 1992. Using credit-by-examination testing to cut down on time and tuition expenses, prospective students only pay for The College Network’s study packets (called Comprehensive Learning Modules) that will prepare them to test out of classes instead of paying to take every individual course. In this way, students speed through general courses and get right to nursing-specific classes.
The College Network is not an online school. Instead, it works with other online schools, such as Excelsior and the much-lauded Indiana State University, to provide learners with accelerated learning options to earn accredited college degrees. All of the nursing degree programs offered on The College Network are recognized by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, which means that the degrees students will receive are nationally recognized.
The nursing degree programs offered at The College Network are:
Associate’s Degree in Nursing – LPN/LVN to RN
Associate’s Degree in Nursing – Paramedic to RN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN (4 options)
Master of Science in Nursing Education – RN to MS
Master of Science in Nursing Education – BSN to MS
Master of Science in Nursing Management – RN to MS
Master of Science in Nursing Management – BSN to MS
Money Matters
The cost of The College Network’s educational packets depends on how much previous educational background the learner has in the subject. Most study packets will be up to 50% less than the cost of actually taking the class at a university campus. A program advisor will provide interested students with a free evaluation, which includes an estimation of the costs. All other fees, including examination and class fees, are paid directly to the school in which students will enroll to complete his or her nursing degree program. Many of these schools offer financial assistance, including federal loans.
Kaplan University is one of the larger online colleges that provides multiple nursing related degrees. We encourage you to take a look at their most pouplar degree, RN to BSN to learn about the requirements associated with earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
The degrees offered by Kaplan include:
RN to BSN
RN to MS in Nursing
Master’s of Nursing
Money Matters
The University of Kaplan is one of the most affordable online nursing colleges. They strive to be the best value your money can buy in pursuing an online degree. Qualified students can apply for the Title IV federal financial aid, including grants and loans for any of the degree programs. Kaplan can also evaluate state grant and scholarship eligibility. An RN-BS needing exceptional financial aid to assist with his or her undergraduate studies may apply for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program, which awards between $100 and $4,000 per year. Students in any year or level of study can apply for Stafford loans. Graduate and professional students can apply for a Grad PLUS loan.
The University of Phoenix has been offering higher education courses for working adults since its founding in 1976 in Phoenix, Arizona. It now has nearly 200 campuses across America, and one of the largest student bodies of any private university. In addition to the ease of access to any of its numerous brick-and-mortar campuses, the University of Phoenix is a leader in online college education, offering more than 100 accredited online degree programs.
Students interested in pursuing studies in any field, from business to medicine, can find programs at the university that will suit their needs and schedules. Classes generally last for two to three hours each day, and students can choose to take these at a time that best suits their schedule. Each class is capped at around 20 students for maximum individual attention from the instructor.
The online Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Master of Science in Nursing programs at the university are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. This certification is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, which means that degrees from these programs will be nationally supported.
For program disclosure information, click here.
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.
The nursing degree programs offered at the University of Phoenix are:
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing for Nurse Practitioners
Master of Science in Nursing/International
Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration/Health Care Management
Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Health Administration
Master of Science in Nursing/Health Care Education
Master of Science in Nursing/Specialization in Informatics
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Money Matters
The University of Phoenix offers several tuition financing options, including tuition reimbursement plans for participating companies, private loan plans, and military plans. The school also participates in several federal financial aid plans, including the Stafford Student Loan and Pell Grant.
By the Numbers
Enrollment acceptance rate: 98%
Graduation rate: 4% by Department of Education standards, although these calculations are based on graduation rates for first time students, which accounts for only 6% of the university’s student demographic. The university’s self-published rate is about 42%.
Placement rate: This has not been calculated as many students who enroll in the university are already employed full-time.
